Self-perception of body weight among high school students in Taipei, Taiwan

Abstract

Abstract·. Self-perception of body weight and other weight-related factors were assessed among 2,665 Taipei, Taiwan high school students. A high percent of the girls (70.7%) and boys (42.2%) reported that they were too fat and these percentages were much higher than those reported by U.S. students in a recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey. In addition, only 13.2% of girls and 22.0% of boys reported being completely satisfied with their weight and the level of dissatisfaction with weight appeared to be greater than among U.S. students. Yet, in comparison to U.S. students, the Taiwanese students were considerably less likely than their U.S. counterparts to engage in weight management practices (e.g., dieting, eating less food, using diet pills). Taiwanese students with a self-perception of being too fat were more likely than those with perceptions of being just right or too thin to engage in weight management practices, to be dissatisfied with their weight, feel that they were unattractive, estimate that their same-sex peers were trying to lose weight, and have a higher body mass index. The findings from this study showed a relationship between self-perception of body size and engaging in weight control behaviors was consistent with other research. It suggested that self-perception of body weight, more so than objective weight status, was predictive of weight loss behavior and also negative psychological outcomes associated with poor body weight image. As a result, self-perception of weight may be an important point of focus for the design and implementation of clinical and public health initiatives targeted at this adolescent population as well as others.

Weight control behaviors among overweight, normal weight and underweight adolescents in Palestine: Findings from the national study of Palestinian schoolchildren (HBSC‐WBG2004)

“…8,13,14,42 Studies have found that the perception of being overweight is one reason that adolescents decide to attempt weight loss, regardless of whether they are truly overweight. 26,27 Consistent with results from previous studies, 42,43 this study found that adolescents who perceived their body weight as too fat were more likely to follow an unhealthy diet. Studies indicate that most of the overweight adolescents are motivated to reduce their weight, use unhealthy weight-control behaviors, 1,4,44 and engage in disordered eating.…”

“…25 Moreover, distorted weight perception can lead to negative psychological outcomes and adoption of unhealthy weight-control strategies such as unhealthy eating habits and cigarette smoking to regulate weight. 27 Thus, perception of overweight is a key determinant of nutritional habits and weight management.…”

Perceived weight in youths and risk of overweight or obesity six years later

“…Similarly, Neumark- Sztainer et al (14) reported that those who perceived themselves as being overweight or were worried about gaining weight were more likely to be overweight five years later. While Cuypers, Neumark- Sztainer et al report perceived overweight increases the risk of becoming overweight, other studies show perceived overweight is associated with compensatory weight loss behaviors (15-17). Extreme weight control behaviors may partly explain the relationship between perceived overweight and weight gain (14, 18-20).…”

Body’s Image Concerns And Its Impact On Academic Achievements

“…Thus, teenagers' self-perceptions impact their practices. Underprivileged self-perception may bring down self-appraisals, thus negatively influencing academic achievements [9,10]. In any case, little is thought about how students are influenced by the self-image.…”